Catalpa speciosa
Magnificent catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
The Magnificent catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is a representative of the native to East Asia and North America genus of trumpet trees. Its natural range extends along river and stream banks at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio. Its wood was used extensively during the transition to the 20th century for the production of railway sleepers, whereby its stocks have been greatly reduced. He is not at risk due to its intense shoot assets and can prevail at suitable locations well against competing species.
Description
The Magnificent Trumpet tree is a deciduous tree, which has a maximum height of 38 meters under favorable conditions - usually he remains under 16 meters - and a trunk diameter ( DBH ) of 1.3 meters reached. It forms in the free-standing rounded crown with spreading branches.
The wood is diffuse-porous and has a narrow, almost white sapwood and a light brown core. The bark of older trees is brown to slightly reddish, 2 to 2.5 inches thick and scaly.
The winter buds are maroon and are enclosed by imbricate overlapping bud scales. Young shoots have a circular cross section and are reddish brown to purple in color and occupied by numerous orange Korkporen. The leaves are opposite or in whorls. The leaf blades are heart-shaped and are 15 to 30 inches long and 10 to 20 inches wide. They have a long solid tip and a slightly indented base. They are entire, or with a few teeth. The upper leaf surface is bare and dark green, the underside is lighter and hairy. The midrib is well marked. At their core, as well as to the dark corners of glands may be present. The stem is 10 to 15 inches long, hairy strong and tomentose.
The flowers are in 13 to 20 centimeters long and equally wide panicles. The hermaphrodite flowers are zygomorphic, about 5 inches long and have a diameter of 6 inches. The crown is bell-shaped, five-lobed and white in color. The edges are much curled. The reason is provided with red-brown and yellow bands and spots. The calyx is two-lobed, hairy outside and purple color. There shall be five stamens, only two of which are fertile.
As fruits 20 to 50 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters wide are formed capsules. They are light brown to maturity in October and jump on two flaps. Most part of the fruit is shed before the maturity and reserve materials contained benefit the remaining fruit. Each fruit contains many light brown, 25 to 35 millimeters long and from 5.5 to 8 millimeters wide seed, which are arranged in two to four rows, and provided with two wings frayed.
The species germinates epigeal, the two cotyledons are cut deep. The seedlings seem to have so four cotyledons.
The chromosome number is 2n = 40
Distribution and habitat requirements
The natural range is the alluvium of river and stream banks in northern Illinois and Indiana, also in western Kentucky, in Tennessee, in southeastern Missouri and northeastern Arkansas. In some states in the southeastern United States, the species has been naturalized. In many countries it is used as a park tree.
The Magnificent catalpa is a demanding forest tree of temperate climates. The natural sites are amongst the best Talgrundböden, they are deep and rich in nutrients. He is sensitive to early frost, but bear with windshield temperature extremes from -32 to 39 ° C.
Ecology
The Magnificent Trumpet tree is a forest tree, together with the American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), the pin oak (Quercus palustris) and Celtis laevigata, a representative of the nettle trees occurs.
Use
The wood was used at the beginning of the 20th century except for railway sleepers, especially for fence posts, shingles and poles. It shows a high durability, 30 years old piles have hardly any traces of rot on. Today, the use of wood has no meaning, but the tree is planted in many places as a park tree.